The question before the human race is, whether the God of nature shall govern the world by his own laws,

The question before the human race is, whether the God of nature shall govern
the world by his own laws, or whether priests and kings shall rule it by
fictitious miracles? -- John Adams (1735-1826) 2nd US President "Letter to
Jefferson, 1816"

Related:

• It is my living sentiment, and by the blessing of God it shall be my dying sentiment,
  Independence now and Independence forever. -- Daniel...
• The Revolution was effected before the war commenced.
  The Revolution was in the minds and hearts of the...
• My country has in its wisdom contrived for me the most insignificant office that ever the invention of man contrived or his imagination conceived.
  John Adams (1735-1826) 2nd US President, 1789 letter...
• The Church of Rome has made it an article of faith that no man can be saved out of their church,
  and all other religious sects approach this dreadful...
• Is it the Fourth?" ~~ Thomas Jefferson, US President,
  d. July 4,...
• Theist and Atheist: The fight between them is as to whether God shall be called God or shall have some other name.
  Samuel Butler (1835...
• The proposition that the people are the best keepers of their own liberties is not true.
  They are the worst conceivable, they are no keepers...
• We may mount from this dull Earth, and viewing it from on high,
  consider whether Nature has laid out all her cost and...
• All laws, whether good, bad, or indifferent,
  must be obeyed to the letter...